Nickel, Benjamin (Mrs.) Voth (1870-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Jul 26 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 Dec 15

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Ben Nickel were held at the Alexanderwohl church Monday forenoon, conducted by Rev. P. A. Wedel. Mr. [sic] Nickel died Saturday evening, only a short while before the wedding of her grandson George Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. George Goossen, and Lorena Pankratz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Pankratz. She is survived by the following children and their families: P. B. Nickel. Wm. B. Nickel, Mrs. Jac. Woelk, Dan Nickel, Henry Nickel, Mrs. Gus Klassen, Mrs. Geo. Goossen and Arnold Nickel. Her husband, a daughter, Anna, and a son, John, preceded her in death.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Aug 9 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. BENJAMIN NICKEL

Mrs. Benjamin Nickel, daughter of Peter and Anna Unrau Voth, was born Dec. 15, 1870 in Steinfeld, South Russia. She emigrated with her parents to the United States in 1877, where the family established a home in Marion county, Kans., close to the town of Goessel.

There she experienced the hardships and trials of pioneer life in the parental home and later in her own home.

She was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer, Jesus Christ, on June 10, 1889 by Elder Jacob Buller and joined the Alexanderwohl church, whose faithful member she remained un- [sic sentence finished in original]

She was united in marriage Dec. 18, 1890 with Benjamin B. Nickel, with whom she shared life’s joys and sorrows for over 43 years, until [sic] her husband was taken in death in January, 1933.

This union was blessed with 11 children, of which three have preceded her in death. They were John Nickel, who died at the age of eight, Anna Nickel at the age of 31 (1925) and David Nickel at the age of 53 years (1950).

Mother possessed good health until her declining years. She was of cheerful disposition and a loving mother who was vitally concerned with the welfare of her children, not only materially but also spiritually. She lived a life of prayer and especially in her last years repeatedly expressed her longing to go to the Eternal Home

She spent 18 years as a widow, keeping the united interests of her children and grandchildren as well as she could.

Mother became sick on June 25 and since then suffered a great deal. She was taken to the Bethesda hospital on July 7, where she lingered about a week with intense pain and suffering. Due to the skill and good care of doctors and nurses she was relieved somewhat of her suffering. Her simple faith and trust in the Lord were a silent but effective witness to all who knew her. She passed away to her heavenly reward on July 21, 1951 at 6:40 p.m. at the age of 80 years, seven months and six days.

The following children mourn her departure: Peter B. Nickel and his wife Margaret and children, Newton; W. B. Nickel and his wife Susie and children, Newton; Bertha and husband J. J. Woelk and children, Newton; Mrs. David Nickel and children, Hillsboro; Daniel Nickel and his wife Eva and children, Wichita; Henry Nickel and his wife Anna and children, Newton; Martha and husband Gustav Klassen and children, Newton; Marie and husband George J. Goossen and children, Hillsboro; Arnold Nickel and his wife, Lena and children, Oakley.

There survive also 48 grandchildren (four of whom preceded her in death) and 37 great-grandchildren, of which four preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held in the Bergen funeral home and at the Alexanderwohl church on Tuesday, July 24, in charge of Rev. Philip A. Wedel, who was assisted by Rev. J. C. Plett and Rev. Walter Regier.